Colorado vs. UT: What to watch

Once again, Texas is an overwhelming favorite on a weekend in which other national championship contenders are playing marquee games. But with Oklahoma, Missouri and Oklahoma State looming in three games away from home, this will be the last chance the Longhorns have to catch their breath for a while. Here are a few things to look for Saturday at Royal-Memorial Stadium:

Tailback shuffle: Both teams will use a rotation of players in the running game, partly because they have depth but mainly because no one on either side has emerged as the featured back. UT will start either Tre’ Newton or Vondrell McGee, but Cody Johnson and Fozzy Whittaker also should see some opportunities. The Buffaloes are led by Rodney Stewart, who’s averaging 90 yards per game, with Darrell Scott and Demetrius Sumler in reserve.

Back to the base: Colorado runs a traditional pro-style offense, which means the Longhorns will be able to rely chiefly on their base defense for the first time this season. Against the spread offenses UT saw for all of September, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp had to keep at least five defensive backs on the field on almost every down. Against the Buffaloes, he’ll be able to play three linebackers, with Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson playing together. UT will need to play more of that kind of defense later in conference play, particularly against OU and OSU.

Rougher returns: The Longhorns rank second in the country in kickoff returns, with D.J. Monroe already having run back two kicks for touchdowns. But if Colorado has been solid at anything this season, it’s been covering kicks. The Buffaloes are the third-best coverage team in the nation, limiting opponents to only 15.8 yards per return. If Monroe scores again Saturday, he’ll have to earn it.